§ 18. Mr. LUNNasked the Minister of Labour how many miners were unemployed in Great Britain on 1st March in the years 1930, 1931, and 1932?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONThe number of insured persons in the coal mining classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain was 142,276 at 24th February, 1930; 240,300 at 23rd February, 1931; and 294,690 at 22nd February, 1932.
§ Mr. LUNNCan the right hon. Gentleman state what the Government are doing to stop this increase of unemployment in the coal industry?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI have nothing, on that point, to add to what I said in my speech. How far it is due to the Act passed by the Government of which the hon. Gentleman was a member, I do not know.
§ Lieut.-Commander AGNEWCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether these figures include those unemployed in connection with the tin mines?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONI do not think so. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman puts down a question, I will answer definitely, but I think that tin mines are in a separate classification.
§ Mr. BATEYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the Act which the present Government passed has had far more to do with the increase in unemployment among miners than the Act of the previous Government?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. On the contrary, that Act gives us powers with regard to export trade which enables us to take adequate action.
§ Mr. LAWSONHas the right hon. Gentleman read the speech made by Mr. Lee, the Secretary of the Mining Association, yesterday, in which he definitely stated that the last Act is responsible?
§ Sir H. BETTERTONNo, Sir. I have not read that speech, but I shall certainly do so.
§ 16. Mr. T. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Labour how many mineworkers were wholly unemployed and temporarily stopped on the last date for which figures were available?
Mr. HUDSONThe numbers of insured persons in the coal mining classification recorded as unemployed in Great Britain at 22nd February, 1932, were: 201,842 wholly unemployed and 92,848 temporarily stopped.
§ Mr. WILLIAMSCan the hon. Gentleman give us any idea as to whether that is an increase or a decrease as compared with the last two months of last year?